Holiday shoppers in a buying mood as economy rebounds

Share this story

TACOMA, Wash. - After the early morning madness settled down, the second wave of bargain hunters moved in on Black Friday. And the mood among shoppers and retailers is that the economy has turned around.

All that is good news for merchants. They're looking for a rebound from the recession, and customers are in a buying mood. Retailers are seeing a lot of green.

She and her children came to Tacoma Mall to see Santa - and get in their Christmas shopping - joining a throng of folks out for Black Friday bargains, including some folks who don't normally venture out on this busy shopping day.

Angela Borrowman is one of those who normally don't hit the malls so soon after Thanksgiving.

"Not normally no. But the Apple Store was having some sales, and they don't normally 'sale' their product,'" she says.

Some retailers nationwide expressed concern that some folks wouldn't spend freely because of economic uncertainty and worries about high unemployment.

Other merchants fret that Congress won't be able to reach a budget deal by January - before a package of spending cuts and tax increases known as the "fiscal cliff" takes effect.

But at the Tacoma Mall - the general feeling is consumer confidence is "up.'

"Looking at the parking lot I'd say yes, it's packed," says shopper Bob Riley. "You come in here and every store has people in it. And everybody is carrying packages."

Bob and Ann Riley also feel good about the ecomony. They're buying each other a remote-controlled helicopter - his and hers.

"I feel the same," says Ann Riley. "I was here the day before Thanksgiving and picking up something. And there were people buying, so I think that the economy is coming up and people feel more confident to spend."

Most Popular

While seated at a Starbucks, a homeless man came in and sat nearby. His scent was unpleasant and people looked at him and rolled their eyes. He was simply doing what we were all doing, drinking coffee and taking advantage of free WIFI. He brought his dog, Legacy, who was well behaved.

Lufthansa has switched aircraft equipment on their daily Seattle-Frankfurt route to a 747-400, seen here departing SEA-TAC today. They are now the only airline offering daily 747 passenger service at SEA-TAC. The upgraded service began March 29, 2015.

After spending the morning shooting pictures at other fields in the area, I was on my way home and noticed the unique colors in this field of flowers. I made a mental note as to its location so I could rendezvous back the following day.